All cultures have children and young people whose emotional wellbeing requires attention and whose behaviours give them, their peers and those who care for them challenges in how to meet their needs. Developing good practice across work with children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties relies on both professional practice and theory. The chapters in this book are taken from those presented at the International Conference organised by SEBDA in 2010 around the theme ‘Transforming Troubled Lives’, with each contributor addressing issues of policy, practice or provision whilst exploring an essential question: is what we are doing effective? This critical reflective question is essential if interventions – be they in provision, policy or practice – are to lead to positive outcomes for the children and young people concerned.

This book was originally published as a special issue of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.

John Visser is currently Visiting Professor at the University of Northampton, UK.